Bonsai Tonight – a history

Spring, 2004. A number of SOBs (Students of Boon) sat around Boon’s workshop on a sunny day sharing gossip – good gossip – about bonsai professionals around the world. We hit upon an idea, an alternative to Bonsai Today. It would be a website for anonymous posts of gossip, hearsay and in-jokes. Photos welcome, no holds barred. And somewhere out of the din came the phrase, “Bonsai Tonight.” I can’t say for sure whether it was first uttered by Marco Invernizzi, Howard Smith, Andy Rutledge or myself, though the best guess is that it was Andy. I ran inside and purchased the domain without skipping a beat.

The following winter a handy photographer – thank you Sylvia – captured a few shots of us setting up BIB’s 6th annual exhibit. They were intended as a kick-off for the “Bonsai Tonight” we had discussed the previous year.

Howard combats wrinkles while Mike finds humor in hand-held steamers

I’m now one year into a very different Bonsai Tonight. Last January, time and desire came together and I made a first post. Soon after, I had the great fortune to return to Japan which led to many more. The year’s most popular post and photo came from a visit to Taikan Bonsai Museum in Obuse, Japan. It’s a truly outstanding garden.

Taikan Bonsai Museum

Thanks for reading. I’m optimistic for the new year and am looking forward to sharing as much of it in bonsai as possible.

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Comments

Jonas…Just a quick hello and greetings from the cold northeast here in NY. I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog this past year and must admit that checking your site on Tues. and Friday is always fun and interesting. You definitely have one of the best bonsai blogs out there….any chance you could post some of your Prunus sp. esp. if they are ready to flower..would be cool to see this time of year. Tom

Thanks Tom, I really appreciate it. And I will post some prunus pics before long. I haven’t worked on them lately but it’s about that time as one is budding up a bit. More importantly, good luck with the cold!